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Hull City fans renew calls for Tigers consultation

Hull fans have renewed their calls for consultation after the Tigers unveiled a new crest which does not include the club's name.

The City Till We Die group, whose campaign to prevent owner Assem Allam from changing the club's name from Hull City to Hull Tigers was vindicated when the Football Association rejected his application two months ago, spoke out after the development on Friday.

Hull's new crest features the traditional tiger's head and the club's foundation year of 1904 but does not include the words Hull City AFC or The Tigers.

hullcitytigers.com

Now the fans' group has called for a promise to consult supporters over the proposed rebranding to be honoured.

A City Till We Die statement said: "CTWD is hugely disappointed that the club has chosen to introduce a new badge without any consultation with supporters, especially having promised that consultation would take place.

"There is no reasonable rationale for changing a badge that has been proudly worn by Hull City players who, in its existence, have achieved four promotions, top-flight football and reached an FA Cup final.

"(Vice-chairman) Ehab Allam states that due to time constraints 'consultation with the fans about the new crest wasn't possible'. This is, quite simply, untrue.

"This redesign has not happened overnight. A supporter consultation could have easily, and quickly, been conducted if the club wanted it.

"By not asking its loyal customers the club has reneged on a promise made in a statement on August 9 2013 that a 'new badge, to be used from the 2014-15 season, will be designed and created in consultation with fans'."

Assem Allam Credit: Press Association

Assem Allam has argued that the club will be more marketable as Hull Tigers, and has threatened to walk away if he does not get his way. He has suggested he will appeal against the FA's decision.

His son Ehab has insisted the new badge celebrates both the Tigers' history and future as they prepare to head into a first ever European campaign.

He said: "This is a more stripped back and modern approach which still celebrates the club's heritage and history by focusing on our famous and well-established tiger's head.

"We have also introduced '1904' to the crest to document the year our club was formed.

"Our first ever step into European competition is a new era for us all and we are all excited about the season ahead."

The Tigers old badge featured writing Credit: Press Association

However, Allam junior's comments have cut little ice with fans.

The CTWD statement continued: "We also take issue with Ehab Allam's claim that changing the badge 'celebrates the club's heritage and history'.

"Over the past year, the current owners have demonstrated exactly what they think of Hull City's heritage by their attempt to change its very name.

"Season card holders have already remarked that their renewal forms did not bear the name of the club, nor is Hull City mentioned anywhere in this club statement.

"CTWD maintains that the reason the badge is being changed is simply because it contains the words 'Hull City AFC'.

"It now appears, bizarrely, that the owners of Hull City do not want to use the name of the club because the FA refused them leave to change it. This is remarkable.

"It also makes commercial nonsense. We fear that many supporters have already been put off renewing their season cards for the coming campaign due to the sudden price hike.

"We are now very concerned about a further loss of revenue as people refuse to buy merchandise that does not show the name of the club.

"CTWD calls on the Allams to reverse their decision to change the badge for the coming current season and to start treating the club's supporters - its customers - with respect.

"If the club wishes to introduce a new badge, let it do so in conjunction with, and not in spite of, its fans - the lifeblood of Hull City AFC."